Big Bird, Cookie Monster visits Lowell prison

Jane Pellerin, serving a two-year prison sentence in Lowell, looks over a coloring book page colored by one of her six children during the Sesame Street visitation event held Saturday.

Andy Filmore/Star-Banner

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.

LOWELL — Big Bird went to prison last weekend. Cookie Monster, too.

No, the "Sesame Street" characters weren't serving time. They were helping inmates who have young children back home.

The Florida Department of Corrections's Region II sponsored a Sesame Street Workshop, "Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration," during family visitation time Saturday at prisons in Marion and 20 other North Central Florida counties.

Oscar the Grouch and the gang lined the half-mile entrance into Lowell Reception Center, and a smiling, 6-foot Big Bird made young visitors coming to see their moms at the women's facility feel welcome.

The Lowell Correctional Institution, a women's facility, and the Marion Correctional Institution for men, both located in Lowell about 12 miles northwest of Ocala, also hosted the program Saturday.

The program, offered at no cost to the DOC, gives children ages 3 to 8 and their incarcerated parents support and comfort during these difficult times.

The goals are to reduce anxiety, sadness and confusion that young children may experience; and to provide at-home caregivers with strategies to help the kids, a DOC press release stated.

According to the DOC, more than 100,000 prison inmates, 93 percent of them male, report having 64,475 children younger than 18.

Nationwide, about 2.7 million minor children have a parent in a state or federal prison.

Florida is one of 10 states offering a pilot version of the Sesame Street program, which also provides each inmate family with a packet including information and a DVD featuring the character Rosita, who discusses issues children might face when their mom or dad is behind bars.

The Sesame Street program states people can "parent from anywhere."

The initiative is part of the DOC's effort to bolster family reunification. This is essential to successful inmate re-entry into society and a reduction in the recidivism rate, according to DOC Deputy Assistant Secretary of Re-Entry Kim "Chris" Southerland.

Casey Byrd, 30, of Blountstown, is scheduled to be released in February 2015 after serving time for taking marijuana to a jailed former boyfriend. She has two children: Jayce, 13, and Rhyanna, 7.

"I think this (Sesame Street) program will help. The video looks from the child's viewpoint; it gives you a new perspective," said Byrd, who makes it a point to write to both her children.

Redessa Hull, 37, incarcerated since 2002 with a "no parole" life sentence for her involvement in a murder, enjoyed a family visit Saturday. She shared smiles with her daughter, Ka'Reena, 11, as they discussed a wide range of subjects.

Ka'Reena also colored pages from a Sesame Street coloring book and enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere in the Visitation Park.

Redessa Hull said she is "constantly writing and telephoning" her daughter and family. Her stepmother, Connie Hull, sitting next to her, was "the first person who showed up" after she was jailed, she said.

Connie Hull said it is "a joy to care for Ka'Reena."

Redessa Hull's father, Willie Hull, said "caring for your family is what you do."

Shelli Stone, serving a sentence expected to carry into 2028 for vehicular homicide, has been in prison for 15 years.

Stone had a visit during the Sesame Street event from her daughter Samantha, 20, and granddaughter Miracle, 2, who has survived two heart surgeries.

"I missed my daughter's first day of school and graduation," Shelli Stone said.

"Mom is amazing," Samantha said. The mother and daughter keep in close contact through letters and visits as Samantha continues her education toward a career in child psychology.

DOC classification officer Donna Lee at Lowell Correctional Institute said that when the population found out about the themed day, inmates "burned up the phone lines" to get families to join them for the upbeat day.

Sgt. George Edwards said the program, which some might see as an unusual mix, was a "cool" approach.

Jane Pellerin, 34, of Ocala, has six children ages 4 to 15, one on the way, and about 16 months left on a two-year sentence for violation of parole related to earlier drug charges.

When her children — Steven, 15; Josha, 13; Allissa, 12; Allison, 10; Daniel, 5; and Clayton, 4 — came to visit her Saturday they found the visitation area transformed to a family play room filled with familiar Sesame Street characters, games and posters.

Allissa and Allison both said they looked forward to letters from their mother.

<p>LOWELL — Big Bird went to prison last weekend. Cookie Monster, too.</p><p>No, the "Sesame Street" characters weren't serving time. They were helping inmates who have young children back home.</p><p>The Florida Department of Corrections's Region II sponsored a Sesame Street Workshop, "Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration," during family visitation time Saturday at prisons in Marion and 20 other North Central Florida counties.</p><p>Oscar the Grouch and the gang lined the half-mile entrance into Lowell Reception Center, and a smiling, 6-foot Big Bird made young visitors coming to see their moms at the women's facility feel welcome.</p><p>The Lowell Correctional Institution, a women's facility, and the Marion Correctional Institution for men, both located in Lowell about 12 miles northwest of Ocala, also hosted the program Saturday.</p><p>The program, offered at no cost to the DOC, gives children ages 3 to 8 and their incarcerated parents support and comfort during these difficult times.</p><p>The goals are to reduce anxiety, sadness and confusion that young children may experience; and to provide at-home caregivers with strategies to help the kids, a DOC press release stated.</p><p>According to the DOC, more than 100,000 prison inmates, 93 percent of them male, report having 64,475 children younger than 18.</p><p>Nationwide, about 2.7 million minor children have a parent in a state or federal prison.</p><p>Florida is one of 10 states offering a pilot version of the Sesame Street program, which also provides each inmate family with a packet including information and a DVD featuring the character Rosita, who discusses issues children might face when their mom or dad is behind bars.</p><p>The Sesame Street program states people can "parent from anywhere."</p><p>The initiative is part of the DOC's effort to bolster family reunification. This is essential to successful inmate re-entry into society and a reduction in the recidivism rate, according to DOC Deputy Assistant Secretary of Re-Entry Kim "Chris" Southerland.</p><p>Lowell Reception Center Assistant Warden Djune Poole said the facility had "embraced" the program.</p><p>Casey Byrd, 30, of Blountstown, is scheduled to be released in February 2015 after serving time for taking marijuana to a jailed former boyfriend. She has two children: Jayce, 13, and Rhyanna, 7.</p><p>"I think this (Sesame Street) program will help. The video looks from the child's viewpoint; it gives you a new perspective," said Byrd, who makes it a point to write to both her children.</p><p>Redessa Hull, 37, incarcerated since 2002 with a "no parole" life sentence for her involvement in a murder, enjoyed a family visit Saturday. She shared smiles with her daughter, Ka'Reena, 11, as they discussed a wide range of subjects.</p><p>Ka'Reena also colored pages from a Sesame Street coloring book and enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere in the Visitation Park.</p><p>Redessa Hull said she is "constantly writing and telephoning" her daughter and family. Her stepmother, Connie Hull, sitting next to her, was "the first person who showed up" after she was jailed, she said.</p><p>Connie Hull said it is "a joy to care for Ka'Reena."</p><p>Redessa Hull's father, Willie Hull, said "caring for your family is what you do."</p><p>Shelli Stone, serving a sentence expected to carry into 2028 for vehicular homicide, has been in prison for 15 years.</p><p>Stone had a visit during the Sesame Street event from her daughter Samantha, 20, and granddaughter Miracle, 2, who has survived two heart surgeries.</p><p>"I missed my daughter's first day of school and graduation," Shelli Stone said.</p><p>"Mom is amazing," Samantha said. The mother and daughter keep in close contact through letters and visits as Samantha continues her education toward a career in child psychology.</p><p>DOC classification officer Donna Lee at Lowell Correctional Institute said that when the population found out about the themed day, inmates "burned up the phone lines" to get families to join them for the upbeat day.</p><p>Sgt. George Edwards said the program, which some might see as an unusual mix, was a "cool" approach.</p><p>Jane Pellerin, 34, of Ocala, has six children ages 4 to 15, one on the way, and about 16 months left on a two-year sentence for violation of parole related to earlier drug charges.</p><p>When her children — Steven, 15; Josha, 13; Allissa, 12; Allison, 10; Daniel, 5; and Clayton, 4 — came to visit her Saturday they found the visitation area transformed to a family play room filled with familiar Sesame Street characters, games and posters.</p><p>Allissa and Allison both said they looked forward to letters from their mother.</p>